"Indeed, the more you have...the poorer you are." ~ Henry David Thoreau, Walden
Another part from Henry David Thoreau, author of "Walden" comes from the section where he talks about the furnishings he obtained for his cabin on Walden Pond. He states, "My furniture... Consisted of a bed, a table, a desk, three chairs, a looking-glass three inches in diameter, a pair of tongs and andirons, a kettle, a skillet, and a frying-pan, a dipper, a wash-bowl, two knives and forks, three plates, one cup, one spoon, a jug for oil, a jug for molasses, and a japanned lamp. Thank God, I can sit and I can stand without the aid of a furniture warehouse."
Japan Knives
I am flabbergasted at how short his list of furnishings is compared to my own. Thoreau understood how unmistakably our possessions begin to possess us. He explained how stuff becomes traps-traps that entangle like a spider's web.
This caught my attentiveness as I reviewed my own desires to be a conscientious consumer. My goal is to observe the benefits of a lifestyle where my needs are few. This is the time for me to untangle the traps of my life room-by-room and purge those items that serve no purpose now.
As I gazed nearby my home and office, I began to think about what and how to arrange of these excess trappings. With a slight online searching and questioning friends, I learned about the benefits of CraigsList (http://www.craigslist.com) and Freecycle (www.freecycle.org). The purpose of both these sites is to help citizen give and get. They can eliminate the potential of tossing good items into landfills.
When I understand the concept of hoarding--things I have but do not use--it becomes easier to pass things along to someone in need. And, that is what I am doing!
This past week a FreeCycler was finding for luggage to donate to a take care of home where the children arrive with their clothing in a grocery bag. Three pieces of unused luggage stored in my attic will now be useful to someone else.
Another FreeCycler is finding for three dozen metal hangers. Guess what? Off goes someone else pile. This is purging at its best!
My next step is parting with excess electronics that are no longer useful to me. I know there are some FreeCyclers just pining for electronic parts and will find my discards useful.
But, I also have some things that have value, and that is where Craigslist is beneficial. After more online research, I was able to place a dollar value on some items I planned to post on Craigslist. Within a combine of days these items will belong to someone else, and my wallet is a slight bit heavier.
As you become aware of the items you are keeping but not using, think about the extra space you will have when you move these things out of your house. Think about the extra time you will have when you are not tied to caring and maintaining them. Think about others who will find good use for your castoffs. It is a win-win situation for everybody complex in the process of recycling, reusing and reducing.
Now it is your turn! think lightening your load and stay clear of spider webs!
Recycle, Reuse and sacrifice the Trappings of Life (Thoreau Lessons Part Ii)